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Buy refurbished electronics

11/29/2024

Buying refurbished electronics instead of new reduces resources used and costs less.

A lot of resources are used to create new electronics, from the plastic casing to the mined metals. The end of life of electronics also contributes to the piles of waste that are created. Buying refurbished devices is not only better for the planet but comes at a lower purchase price than buying new.

Read more about this issue here.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Open doors manually

11/22/2024

Open doors by hand without using electricity; only use the paddle to automatically open doors if you are otherwise unable to open doors manually.

It’s very straightforward: Every time a door is opened automatically, electricity is used; when opened manually, the electricity use is zero. Unless you truly need the assistance of the automatic door, resist using electricity to have the door opened for you and just open it by hand. Opening the door yourself is actually faster and more efficient than waiting for the motor. The slower speed of the automatic door also keeps it open longer, letting more heated or air-conditioned air leave the building. The high use of the automatic system also adds to its wear and tear, and a break-down of the system would have a greater impact on those who rely on this automation.

Read more at Recycle Nation.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Heat water with an electric tea kettle

11/15/2024

Boiling water with an electric kettle uses less energy than either the stovetop or microwave.

Because the heating element in an electric kettle heats the water directly, it is the most efficient method for heating water. The stove and microwave transfer heat to the pot or mug. You can increase the efficiency of making your tea even more by only adding the amount of water that you need to the kettle. If you simply fill the kettle to the top, you are heating more water than you need.

Read more at Treehugger.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Buy your Thanksgiving turkey from a local source

11/8/2024

Buying a locally sourced Thanksgiving turkey supports the local economy and promotes the benefits of small-scale farms.

Foods purchased locally are transported over the shortest possible distances and support businesses and farms in our region. Most local growers raise free-range, hormone-free birds. Turkeys raised on small-scale farms that raise their turkeys pasture fed is healthier for the animals, better for the environment, and may produce more nutritious meat. In Swarthmore, humanely raised turkeys are sold at the Swarthmore Food Coop and Ironstone Creamery at the Swarthmore Farmers Market.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Decline printed receipts

11/1/2024

Opt for digital receipts whenever you can and don’t recycle printed receipts; most are made of thermal paper coated with the hazardous chemical BPA.

Most receipts today are made of thermal paper that contains free-form bisphenol-A (BPA) or bisphenol-S (BPS) instead of ink to produce the letters and numbers on receipts. These chemicals can transfer to your skin or food in your shopping bag. BPA and BPS have been linked to endocrine disruption which can adversely affect your reproductive health, brain development, and heart and lung health, among other organs and bodily functions.

Read more here at Treehugger .com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Recycle or trash contact lenses

10/25/2024

Billions of contact lenses are thrown into sinks or toilets every year in our country which break down into microplastics and do not degrade. Dispose of contacts in the trash or through recycling programs now available in optometry offices.

The environmental impact of microplastics has been well-documented and its long-term impact on human health is being studied. Contact lenses are not innocuous despite their small size.

Read more here

Take fewer showers

10/18/2024

Showering less saves water and energy while also strengthening our immune systems and preserving more of the skin’s natural oils.

Aside from helping the planet, showering less helps strengthen our immune systems by keeping disease-fighting bacteria living on our skin. It also allows us to preserve more of our microorganisms and the skin’s natural oils. Microbes on the skin potentially stop harmful pathogens from entering the body and reduce the possibility of skin conditions.

Read more here

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Stop using gas-powered lawn equipment

10/11/2024

The inefficient technology of gas-powered lawn equipment makes them, pound for pound, more polluting than trucks and cars and exposes gardeners who operate them to carcinogenic exhaust fumes, including the concerning pollutant known as PM2.5.

Collectively, gas-powered lawn equipment contributes about 5% of U.S. CO2 emissions annually, according to the EPA, a shockingly high amount. The inefficient small engines disproportionately cause pollution and health problems. Make the switch to electric equipment and expand your landscaping to decrease the size of your lawn. In Swarthmore, you can help others make the switch to electric lawn equipment by contributing to our new initiative (Sw,eLL: Swarthmore Electric Lawns) to fund the purchase of electric technology.

Read more about the effects of gas powered equipment here at Grist.org

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Rinse before recycling

10/4/2024

Give your recyclable containers a quick rinse in cold water before tossing in the recycling bin.

Chunks of food on containers that are tossed into the mixed recycling bin can contaminate the whole load. However, your recycling does not need to be scrubbed with soap until it is sparkling clean. Give your recyclables a quick rinse, just enough to remove the food residue. Leaving a thin film on the surface is OK. To avoid using extra water, rinse them in your dirty, soapy dishwater. Put the cap or lid back on bottles and jars and give it a shake.

For more information, see this article.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Decline the plastic straws

9/27/2024

At home and when eating out, decline the plastic straws to help reduce plastic waste in the environment.

Plastic disposable straws are not recyclable and contribute to the mounds of plastic waste created by our disposable culture. They become harmful when they are released into the environment where they can be detrimental to wildlife. Marine mammals and birds ingest discarded plastic straws, bags, bottle caps and other trash. When these plastic items become lodged in the gut, ultimately kills these animals. If you need to use a straw, there are better alternatives to disposable plastic. Reusable straws made of metal, bamboo, or glass often come with a brush to clean the inside. There are a variety of sustainably made disposable straws made from paper, pasta, or even seaweed.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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